French journalist taken hostage in Iraq released: foreign ministry

The French foreign ministry said in Paris Sunday that the French journalist and her Iraqi driver, who were held hostage in Iraq for five months, have been released.

Florence Aubenas, 44, and her Iraqi driver Hussein Hanun al-Saadi are in good health, said Aubenas' employer the Liberation newspaper.

The two were taken hostage after leaving their Baghdad hotel on Jan. 5.

Meanwhile, according to the ministry, French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy was heading to Cyprus Sunday to greet Aubenas and accompany her home.

"Mr. Douste-Blazy is heading to Cyprus to welcome Florence Aubenas on board a French government plane," said ministry spokeswoman Cecile Pozzo di Borgo.

Source: Xinhua